Electric bus catches fire under bridge on Constellation Drive, police say to avoid area

An electric bus caught on fire after being wedged under a bridge on Auckland’s North Shore.

Just after 1pm today, police were advised that a bus had collided with the edge of an overpass on Constellation Drive.

The bus caught fire, spewing clouds of smoke in the area.

One bystander told the Herald nearby residents moved inside and shut their windows when smoke started filling the air.

A bus has caught fire after getting stuck under an overpass at the Constellation Bus Terminal. Photo / Dean Purcell

“It was difficult to breathe as we were visiting a relative who lives on the other side of Sunset Rd, by the top bus entrance to Constellation Rd bus station, and the smell was thick ... it appeared to be of a chemical or plastic nature.”

Auckland Transport (AT) said the bus, which was contracted through Ritchies Transport, was not in service at the time of the collision.

“[There were] no passengers, and the driver exited the vehicle safely,” a spokesperson said.

“The fire is now extinguished, and the bus is currently being removed. We anticipate the station will reopen over the next few hours.”

No roads are closed, and cars can travel in the area, the spokesperson said.

The bus caught fire after colliding with the edge of an overpass

“Bus routes that use the overbridge will be diverted until it is assessed as safe. These routes are 95C, 843, 871, 901, 902, 906, 907.”

Nearby residents and businesses were advised to close their doors and windows to prevent smoke from getting inside their homes.

Three fire crews from Takapuna, Albany, and a volunteer crew from Greenhithe are attending the fire.

Image 1 of 9: A bus has caught fire after getting stuck under an overpass at the Constellation Bus Terminal. Photo / Dean Purcell

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said everyone was off the bus.

A Herald reporter on another bus travelling along the Northern Busway said the “area smelt strongly of smoke” as they approached the Constellation bus station.

“There were police and security diverting the buses heading towards the city.

“Because of the diversion our bus had to go on the motorway and it skipped the Sunnynook Station, so some people might have been left waiting for a while for a bus.

“Maybe half a dozen busses were getting redirected.”

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